C34 New Home

"Aunt Maria, is Aotian around?"

Early the next morning, Loong Qian arrived at the small courtyard where Aotian lived to inquire with Maria.

"Oh, Miss Loong, Aotian isn't here. He left in a hurry yesterday after returning from the main hall. He packed a few things and took off! What exactly happened at your place yesterday? I've never seen Aotian lose his temper like that before!"

Maria paused from her laundry as she recognized Loong Qian's voice.

"What? Aotian's gone? Do you have any idea where he went? When is he coming back?"

A sense of foreboding washed over Loong Qian upon learning that Aotian had left the day before.

"Yes, he left yesterday. He didn't mention where he was headed, only that he wouldn't return anytime soon."

Maria responded to Loong Qian's persistent questions with partial truths, holding back the fact that Aotian didn't want to stay at home. Deep down, she clung to a sliver of hope that he might return.

"Oh, I understand. Thank you, I need to go now."

With her answer in hand, Loong Qian hurried out, ready to relay the news to her family.

"Grandfather, Aotian's gone. He left right after coming back yesterday afternoon!"

Loong Qian quickly briefed Loong Ming in the main hall.

Upon hearing this, Loong Ming, seated in a place of honor, furrowed his brow. "Where did he go? When is he coming back? Did Maria tell you this?"

"Yes, Aunt Maria said she doesn't know where he's gone, and Aotian didn't specify when he'd return."

After a moment of reflection and a heavy sigh, Loong Ming conceded, "It seems yesterday's events really affected him. He's clearly unhappy with our actions."

"Yiming, deploy our family's resources within the country to locate Aotian."

Loong Ming directed his gaze to Loong Yiming.

"Yes, Father!"

Loong Yiming replied promptly and confidently.

"Alright, let's disperse for now. With our family's influence, I'm confident we'll find Aotian soon enough."

Loong Ming was the first to exit the hall with a sense of purpose.

"Grandpa," Loong Qian hesitated, her lips momentarily forming a pout before she thought better of it and held back her question. She had wanted to ask her grandfather about Aotian's arrangements upon his return, but ultimately, she decided to keep her concerns to herself.

Meanwhile, Aotian was making his way to the Devil Beast Forest, with a swift white tiger trailing behind him. With time on his hands and no pressing matters, Aotian opted for a shortcut through the Yanshan Mountains rather than the main road. This choice served a dual purpose: it was an opportunity to train his body, and it spared him the trouble of figuring out what to do with his horse upon reaching the forest. Walking seemed the best option.

Unbeknownst to him, this very decision allowed him to slip beyond the Loong family's search perimeter undetected.

Five days later, a travel-worn Aotian stood at the edge of the Devil Beast Forest. "I'm back," he whispered to himself, gazing at the sprawling wilderness. "In this vast world, perhaps this is the only place that can truly shelter me." With a sense of wonder, he stepped deeper into the forest's embrace.

As a swordmaster, Aotian's once insatiable bloodlust had subsided by the time he reached a point about 3,000 meters from the forest's edge.

"Kid, it's getting dark," Matt's voice echoed in Aotian's mind. "If you're planning to stay here for a while, shouldn't you build a shelter? This spot looks perfect."

Taking his master's advice to heart, Aotian sprang into action. He found a level spot near the river, about 200 meters away, and set to work clearing the land, felling trees, and constructing his own modest abode.

Three days of labor later, Aotian stood before his simple wooden hut with a sense of accomplishment. He laughed heartily, satisfaction resonating in his voice, and affectionately patted the head of his companion, Snow-stepping. "We've finally got a place to call our own, Snow-stepping. From now on, this is our home!"

After sprucing up the house, Aotian crafted a large bed and a set of tables and chairs from the remaining wood, finally completing his very first home!

"Phew!" At last, it's finished. Treading Snow, from now on, this is our new home!

Gazing at the house before him, Aotian swelled with pride. Simple as it was, it was his new home, a home he built with his own hands!

As dusk approached, Aotian and Treading Snow ventured out for food. They hunted down a wild boar and returned to enjoy their dinner.

"Treading Snow, go play for a bit. I need to do some cultivating," Aotian said after their meal.

Reflecting on the three days he'd neglected his cultivation, Aotian took the time to engage in his practice with renewed focus.

"You brute, face my Eighteen Tornado Strikes!" Aotian bellowed at the wolves before him. His body spun into action, becoming a whirlwind that roared like thunder, leaving him momentarily stunned.

This morning, shortly after stepping out, Aotian stumbled upon a pack of about eight wolves near his home. The wolves lunged at him like ravenous tigers at the sight of prey. Aotian, undeterred, charged into battle.

Treading Snow, witnessing Aotian's assault, let out a howl and threw herself into the fray.

Aotian danced through the wolves, his spear a blur, creating a tempest that left nothing but blood and carcasses in its wake.

The fight was swiftly over, thanks to the teamwork between Aotian and Treading Snow.

"Treading Snow, you've been bested again today—I got five, you only three! Haha!" Aotian laughed heartily at their victory.

"Aooo!" Treading Snow responded with a disgruntled howl, as if to protest that Aotian had charged in first.

"Alright, no hard feelings. Let's get moving and track down that bison," Aotian said, gathering the spoils of their battle before setting off.

As of today, Aotian has spent an entire year in the forest. Throughout this time, he and Treading on Snow have diligently honed their skills, achieving significant strides in their abilities. Now, the peripheral creatures pose no threat to him, prompting Aotian to gradually venture deeper into the woods. A few days ago, during his initial foray, he encountered a formidable bison. Aotian and Treading on Snow engaged in a fierce struggle with the beast, but ultimately, they couldn't bring it down and were forced to retreat. Over the last couple of days, Aotian has been relentlessly devising a strategy to conquer the bison. Today, armed with preparation and resolve, Aotian is once again poised to enter the forest and settle the score with his bovine adversary.